Tenga Rinpoche (1932-) is a Tibetan teacher (lama) in the Karma Kagyu tradition.[1]
Born in Kham in 1932,[1] Tenga Rinpoche was recognized as a reincarnation of Lama Samten[1][2] at the age of seven.[1]
As he grew older, he studied at Benchen Monastery[2] and was eventually given the name Karma Tenzin Thinle Namgyal from Situ Rinpoche.[2] Soon after, he was given ordination by Situ Rinpoche and entered a three-year retreat.[2][1]
He is an expert in mandala painting and sculpture[3].
In 1959, Tenga Rinpoche left Benchen for Lhasa and then eventually traveled to northern India.[2] In India, he settled at Rumtek Monastery, the main seat of the 16th Karmapa.[1] Tenga Rinpoche served the 16th Karmapa for seventeen years,[1] nine of those years in the position of Dorje Lopön.[2][1]
In 1986, Tenga Rinpoche established the new Benchen Monastery in Kathmandu.[2]